Movie Reviews

A classic!

R. WHITTEN | Fresno, CA USA | 10/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Simon's creativity is timeless. This concert is 13 years old, and the politics which lurked behind it have changed dramatically. But the music still moves me to tears and laughter. Very few American musicians (especially white ones) could blend their style with the exciting rhythms and language of the African culture the way Simon has. It has to be the music which makes this album great, since the production is simple enough to have been performed in a high school auditorium. Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela were long appreciated by me, but the Ladysmith Black Mambazo group was a delightful new find."

Do I have the same DVD?

R. WHITTEN | 05/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Lets keep a couple of things in mind here, people! First of all this was recorded in 1987, in Africa, in that time period BEFORE digital cameras. And secondly, digital audio (DAT and PCM) was still a maturing medium (still is as far as I'm concerned). The point of the concert was to go there and make a statement and entertain those people, not to put out a hi-fi, hi-res DVD 13 or 14 years later. I have a Sony Trinitron TV and a Sony DVD player, and I think it looks and sounds great, despite those afore-mentioned physical limitations. And what is reviewer #1 talking about? I don't have ANY interviews on my copy. I don't think he/she is reviewing the same thing we are. I have exactly what the description says- a live concert. The performance is fantastic. The sound is great, and the video quality is pretty darn good. If you like the Graceland CD, you will love this concert."

A State of Grace

smhboslee | East Hartford, CT United States | 08/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An excellent concert! This video is well worth owning. I watch it often, and enjoy it every time. I have noticed comments regarding poor sound quality in other reviews. Personally, I did not find that to be a problem in the overall quality of this film; after all, this concert took place in South Africa, not Central Park. Watching Paul's performance during this concert, it was hard to believe that he was at a very low point in his career at the time. Performances by all other artists involved were equally good, and the obvious respect between Paul Simon and the South African artists--particularly Joseph Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo--was moving. I also enjoyed seeing footage of South Africa at various points in the film. I felt it added to the "being there" feeling of the film itself. The singing of the National Anthem of South Africa at the end of the concert was a perfect ending.I would recommend this to all world music fans, not just Paul Simon fans."

Timeless

R. WHITTEN | 08/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This video showcases the timeless music of Paul Simons GRACELAND album. Paul Simon and his unbelievable African cohorts manage to combine intricate African rhythm with pop music and seemingly bridge the gap between two cultures.Lady Smith Black Mombazo are especailly moving and Hugh Masekela singing FREE NELSON MANDELA is unforgettable. The lyrics are Simon at his best.The emotions of the African musicians, exiled from their homeland as a result of Apartheid charge the air and the concert must surely be remebered as a musical milestone."Five Stars are not enough" here here..."